DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge announced today that the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy (ODCP) has awarded nearly $5 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grants to 38 criminal justice projects statewide. The awards, as part of the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) program, primarily will support personnel in drug enforcement, treatment and prevention initiatives that address priorities outlined in Iowa’s Drug Control Strategy.

“As Governor, public safety is my number one priority, and thanks to these grants, Iowa communities are safer and our economy is stronger,” said Governor Chet Culver. “The JAG stimulus funding will help support more than 90 jobs to keep cops on the streets, counselors in drug treatment centers and kids off of drugs.”

The $4,872,941 in JAG Recovery grants awarded by ODCP this year represents a 48 percent increase over JAG funding available for criminal justice projects in Iowa last year.

“This grant program is a prime example of a local, state and federal agency partnership leveraging resources to support important public service,” Culver said. “Without JAG stimulus funds, many programs and all but a few of the positions they support may not exist today.”

JAG grants in Iowa go to offender treatment and supervision programs, as well as community drug and crime prevention efforts. However, the largest share of JAG funding supports 22 multi-jurisdictional drug enforcement task forces across the State.

During SFY 2007, 22 ODCP grant-funded drug task forces netted almost 2,200 criminal convictions, responded to 363 reported meth labs, and intercepted more than 3,300 pounds of illegal drugs (valued at over $31 million). Drug task forces are credited with contributing to 80% of State Division of Narcotics Enforcement investigations, many of which are serious enough to warrant federal prosecution. Additionally, 45 percent more Iowa offenders with addictions are referred to drug treatment in counties served by task forces than in other counties.

“The JAG program supports a balanced approach aimed at reducing both the supply of illegal drugs, and the demand for them,” said Gary Kendell, Iowa’s Drug Policy Coordinator and Director of the Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy. “One benefit of JAG grants is they allow communities to address local needs in ways that work for them.”

A complete list of Iowa communities and projects receiving JAG Recovery grants is below. For more information on ODCP or its Iowa grant programs, go to www.iowa.gov/odcp. For more information on Iowa and all federal recovery funding, visit www.recovery.iowa.gov.